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State gets $223 million for neighborhood revitalization

(AP) — The federal government awarded Michigan more than $223 million on Thursday to help tear down blighted buildings and revitalize neighborhoods in a dozen cities including Detroit, Grand Rapids and Flint. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced the money as part of $2 billion in Recovery Act funding to states, local governments and nonprofit housing developers. Housing Secretary Shaun Donovan and Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm were expected to discuss the program later Thursday in Detroit. The money is to combat the effects of home foreclosures, vacancy and abandonment. "Vacant homes have a debilitating effect on neighborhoods and often lead to reduced property values, blight and neighborhood decay," Donovan said in a statement. "This ... will help stabilize hard-hit communities." The Michigan State Housing Development Authority had applied for $290 million in federal money. Because it was awarded close to that amount, the state doesn't expect to need major revisions to its spending plan. Under the "New Michigan Urban Neighborhood" plan, money would be allocated to acquire and redevelop more than 6,000 foreclosed, abandoned and vacant properties in Michigan, demolish 2,500 structures and rehabilitate or build 1,500 homes. Battle Creek, Benton Harbor, Hamtramck, Highland Park, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Pontiac, Saginaw and Wyandotte also would be targeted for revitalization efforts.